Editorial

For the historian who undertakes research into local and regional history there occurs continual challenges and problems. Besides the more traditional
historical sources which are usually kept in central and local government archives, libraries and museums, the local historian must also consult the so-called
unofficial and rather unconventional documents. These include, for example, the records of agricultural and farmers' associations, sport and cultural organisations,
and business undertakings which are/were active in a community. Unfortunately such documents are not only widely scattered and difficult to trace, but are also
largely incomplete and damaged or have even been destroyed. To form a reasonable accurate picture of the wide variety of activities in a town or region, the
researcher is thus often dependent upon personal information, oral tradition, reminiscences of residents and newspapers. The value of such sources of information can
hardly be Qverestimated, even though the historian must be mindful of shortcomings in them.

In this issue of Contree, amongst others, attention is given to the nature and contents of a number of local and country town newspapers in the
districts of the 19th century eastern Cape frontier region. The writer analyses the research value of these newspapers and indicates what function they can fulfil in
a relatively isolated community. Another contribution dealing with the fate of two financial institutions in Graaff-Reinet during the great depression, confirms the
value of a few old, almost forgotten, minutebooks for the researcher.

The above-mentioned and other articles will hopefully contribute to a better understanding of the wide and divergent scope of human activities covered
by local and regional history.